Another pontins woe, help

piglet25

I would try Watchdog too, they really hate Pontins. I used to go but every year it was getting filthier. You should try Haven, its just up the road from the Pontins and its a thousand times better, although I am sure some would disagree as is the theme on these forums lately.

fozmcfc

Pontins is still basically like Butlins and Pontins in the 70's and early 80's.

We'd go as a family, as soon as we entered the chalet, Nan, would do the washing up before we used anything, Mum would get the carpet sweeper out to sweep around, numerous surfaces, would receive a wipe down and quite often we'd have to turn a blood/beer stained pillowcase inside out and turn the mattress over to the less stained side.

The chalet, always had signs of dry rot and mould and the chalet would always have the aroma of mould (I can still smell it now).

It was part of the holiday experience. In those days, it seemed to be acceptable, as it was a dirt cheap holiday, with tons of fun for the family.

From my last couple of visits to Pontins in the past 10 year or so, things haven't evolved and while the prices have risen, the standards haven't.

robatwork

Pontins Southport was disgusting in 1984.

And it's had 30 years to get more dirty since then. There's "money saving" because you can't afford a nice cottage or a flight somewhere, and then there's "save up one year and go away the next" because these camps are revolting. I am in the latter camp. And I don't like camping.

susancs

There is a similar thread on the link below where the OP got a full refund via the final letter before action after staying at the same place. It looks as if they caved when OP mentioned they would be claiming for alternative accomodation stayed in as well as the refund in the small claims court case. In your case I doubt it would be worth your time and effort going to small claims court if it was a Sun Holiday that cost £9.50 per person for the break, but it is worth a letter or two and the cost postage to try to get a refund.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4775793

Welcome to MSE and good luck with obtaining a full refund.

Laz123

We took the kids there one summer about twenty years ago. The swimming pool smelled of urine and the place wasn't the cleanest. I see they haven't changed much then.

C_Mababejive

Coincidentally i had a run out to southport today. I havent been to southport since i was a kid. What a fab sunny day it was too. As i drove in the lower part of the marine road i noted a Pontins.

I didnt even know if pontins was still going and i wondered what pontins was like these days? how did they meet the expectations of todays budget holiday makers?

Anyway this evening i was reading reviews for pontins southport on tripadvisor and they are mostly totally shocking.

Now i respect the fact that many people who go to pontins have a budget due to circumstances and that one mustnt expect miracles but the kind of stuff i read about and the photos are a total insult to those people and disrespectful.

I then read that the real pontins collapsed in 2010 and was bought up by Mr Alex Langsams Britannia group, the same ones who run the hotels.

I guess that says it all as his hotels are mostly carp also.


Clearly the ethos and values of Fred Pontin and his original family holiday experience is long gone and only his good name is being used to exploit ordinary families.

Morglin

Pontins at Camber Sands is pretty appalling - it has been featured on Watchdog, more than once! :eek:

I don't know why the Sun still use them, as they must be aware of their reputation, but I suppose they take the view that if you buy cheap, you get cheap.

The thing with these Sun offers is that although a lot of the sites are ok, many are pretty bad.

Lin